Merwyn Claire Birkholz, "Birky," 82, of Waupun, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, at Prairie Ridge Memory Unit.

Birky was born on Sept. 2, 1927, to Frank and Anna Warber Birkholz in the town of Trenton in Dodge County, Wisconsin.

He was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church in the town of Trenton on Oct. 2, 1927, and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam on Aug. 30, 1942.

He attended Beaver Dam High School, then sailed the Great Lakes.

Birky was drafted into the U.S. Air Force in 1946, and he served his country overseas.

On June 28, 1950, he married Marion Meier at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Reeseville.

The couple made their home in Waupun where Birky worked at the National Rivet and Manufacturing Co. He retired as a supervisor in 1989. Birky was a member of Pella Lutheran Church in Waupun for many years. He served there as an elder, trustee, Sunday school teacher, a member of the church's Men's Club and served on the Christmas Committee. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who especially enjoyed being grandpa to Dakota. Birky kept busy tending his garden, working on his lawn, woodworking and fixing things. Other hobbies were picking up and cracking hickory nuts; and making sauerkraut. He and Marion volunteered their time delivering Meals on Wheels for several years. They enjoyed traveling together and spending time at their trailer in Tomahawk, Wis.

Birky is survived by Marion, his wife of 59 years; his two daughters, Darlene Birkholz of Waupun and Denise Bauer and her husband, Joseph, of Hartford; his son, Daryl Birkholz and his significant other, Carol Addison, along with Carol's children; two grandsons, Dakota Birkholz and Robert Bauer; three great-grandchildren, Kailey, Brady and Kelsey Bauer; a sister, Velma (Orin) Schroeder, Beaver Dam; a sister-in-law, Doris Birkholz; a special friend, Brian Daane; nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lyle and his wife, Viola; two nephews, Ryan Schroeder and David Birkholz; and a grandson, Brian Bauer.